“I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, as well as impulsive behaviors and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Provider-based stigmatization of individuals with BPD is associated with poor health outcome...

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Main Authors: Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron, Adrian Guta, Elizabeth Donnelly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:SSM: Qualitative Research in Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000970
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author Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron
Adrian Guta
Elizabeth Donnelly
author_facet Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron
Adrian Guta
Elizabeth Donnelly
author_sort Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron
collection DOAJ
description Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, as well as impulsive behaviors and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Provider-based stigmatization of individuals with BPD is associated with poor health outcomes and increased mortality risk. However, little is known about social workers' experiences in providing care to people living with BPD (PLBPD). This study explored social workers' perspectives on the impact of stigma on care for PLBPD. Between April 2020 and January 2021, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 social workers practicing across the continuum of care (e.g., community services and hospitals) in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using Critical Realist Analysis. Four primary themes emerged: (1) stigmatization of PLBPD due to the complexity of their needs (e.g., avoidance, blame, name-calling by providers); (2) lack of BPD-specific training and education in social work curricula; (3) observed stigmatization of PLBPD by social workers and other professionals (e.g., psychologists and physicians); and (4) suggestions for improving care experiences for PLBPD. Results suggest that provider-based stigma remains a significant quality of care issue affecting PLBPD. Further research is needed to understand the scope of these issues among diverse PLBPD populations, within social work practice, and across interprofessional care settings.
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spelling doaj-art-e14ffe2a46554ce2877b822df56c43c32025-08-20T01:59:35ZengElsevierSSM: Qualitative Research in Health2667-32152024-12-01610048810.1016/j.ssmqr.2024.100488“I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorderAman Ahluwalia-Cameron0Adrian Guta1Elizabeth Donnelly2Corresponding author.; University of Windsor, CanadaUniversity of Windsor, CanadaUniversity of Windsor, CanadaBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, as well as impulsive behaviors and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Provider-based stigmatization of individuals with BPD is associated with poor health outcomes and increased mortality risk. However, little is known about social workers' experiences in providing care to people living with BPD (PLBPD). This study explored social workers' perspectives on the impact of stigma on care for PLBPD. Between April 2020 and January 2021, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 social workers practicing across the continuum of care (e.g., community services and hospitals) in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using Critical Realist Analysis. Four primary themes emerged: (1) stigmatization of PLBPD due to the complexity of their needs (e.g., avoidance, blame, name-calling by providers); (2) lack of BPD-specific training and education in social work curricula; (3) observed stigmatization of PLBPD by social workers and other professionals (e.g., psychologists and physicians); and (4) suggestions for improving care experiences for PLBPD. Results suggest that provider-based stigma remains a significant quality of care issue affecting PLBPD. Further research is needed to understand the scope of these issues among diverse PLBPD populations, within social work practice, and across interprofessional care settings.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000970Qualitative researchBorderline personality disorderSocial workStigma
spellingShingle Aman Ahluwalia-Cameron
Adrian Guta
Elizabeth Donnelly
“I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
SSM: Qualitative Research in Health
Qualitative research
Borderline personality disorder
Social work
Stigma
title “I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
title_full “I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
title_fullStr “I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
title_full_unstemmed “I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
title_short “I get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person”: A critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
title_sort i get the referral because nobody else wants to work with this person a critical realist analysis of social workers providing care to people living with borderline personality disorder
topic Qualitative research
Borderline personality disorder
Social work
Stigma
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321524000970
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